Get to know Corina and Dimitrie
Dimitrie Comanescu
Owner & CEO
With an early passion for sports and active and healthy living, Dimitrie is a former Personal Trainer who worked with adults helping them reach their maximum fitness levels, as well as a former Physical Education teacher for daycare children. His interest for sports and fitness transcended into swimming, and he is now using his experience and dedication to make swimming accessible to as many children and adults as possible.
With a background in Marketing and Fitness, Dimitrie brings his rich and unique experience to the Aqua Life team. His entrepreneurial approach is both inspirational and innovating making sure Aqua Life is always at the forefront of Aquatics, through patronaging and welcoming innovating approaches to swimming.
Corina Oaches
Owner & Director of Operations
Having over 5 years of competitive swimming background, Corina is devoted to create programs and services that align with Aqua Life’s mission which is to enrich every child, teen, and adult’s aquatic experience by meeting their individual needs. What’s important to Corina is creating meaningful relationships with her team, clients and community. She excels at passing on her knowledge and method to the team and loves to see her staff become incredible swim teachers. Having a background in Psychology, Human Relations and Human Resources, Corina brings to the table her unique touch in building a winning team, and superior customer care practice.
Karen Smith
Client Care Specialist and Sales Coordinator
Karen is dedicated to create the best customer experience possible. From the first inquiry, to every lesson you attend, she is focused on making your experience at The Aqua Life second to none. She lives outside of Almonte with her husband and two school-age children. The family enjoys a variety of recreational activities, including camping and swimming. Karen is also an avid runner, and has trained for and participated in half marathons, 5k runs and 10k runs. In the summer she enjoys water skiing and swimming, while in the winter she plays broomball with her friends.
Rosanna Versace
Revenue & Scheduling Strategist
Rosanna is helping in the office with administration and customer inquiries. With a wealth of experience in hospitality, Rosanna also brings a genuine love for helping people into Aqua Life with her. She’s also the proud mother to two young daughters. At home, they enjoy playing dress-up and dancing. Friendly and easy-going, she loves to build real relationships when she works with clients. Rosanna looks forward to speaking with you!
Sepide Nikzare
Head Swim Instructor
Swimming since 9 years old, Sep brings an extensive and rich background in aquatics. Swimming as a competitive swimmer for the University of Tehran’s swim team and later on, being selected for Iran’s National Swim team, Sep won many medals being six times gold medalist in breaststroke, and winning four times first place in swim relay. She moved on to become a swim coach for 2 years at the Al Zahra University in Tehran. Swimming has always been a passion for Sep, and she has been teaching swimming for over 14 years. With a Bachelors in Phys Ed and Exercise Physiology followed up by a Masters in Exercise Physiology and a 2 years PhD in Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology, Sep will bridge the science and technique of swimming with your potential, by making you a better and more robust swimmer. When not teaching, you will always see Sep somewhere on the pool deck, helping and coaching our awesome instructors. Her warm and nurturing nature, make her such a joy to hop in the water with!
Bodie Onofrychuk
Head Swim Instructor
Bodie has been swimming since he was 4 years old, and hasn’t stopped since. When Bodie was learning how to swim, he encountered a challenge passing Swim Kids II, however, after a breakthrough, he found his love for swimming and never looked back. His determination, focus and hard work were his guiding forces to attain the aquatic leadership certificates he needed to become a swim instructor. His love for water and teaching come across through each of his classes, and kids love him! His spontaneous and creative energy bring a slash of vibrancy to all his classes, and he will have his swimmers engaged and focused while having so much fun! Bodie is currently pursuing a college degree in Police Foundation, hoping to become an RCMP officer.
Eduardo Montez
Head Swim Instructor
With aquatics as a cornerstone of Eduardo’s life, he will be contributing expertise in all facets of water towards your swimming education and abilities with the Aqualife program. Having a waterpolo career that includes medals in the Jr. Pan Am games with team Canada, CAMEX games with team El Salvador, and OUA championships with Carleton University to name a few, proficiency, and familiarity with the nuanced dynamics of swimming are well understood, well developed, and well-refined to suit your needs. A then pursuit of further expertise and knowledge within the profession of lifeguarding and swimming, Eduardo has been in roles as a volunteer for drowning prevention and provincial public education, a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor Trainer and Examiner, Swim Club Program Coordinator, and Swim Camp Program Director, accumulating a robust array of skills, drills, techniques, and tricks of the trade, to set you up for success. Additionally, a Carleton University Degree in Psychology; a Minor in Sociology, allows Eduardo a tool kit to help clients overcome any personal mental obstacles that can arise when learning to swim. Getting you to flourish, whether you want to be swimming in the pool, at the cottage by the lake, competing with yourself and others, or being out at sea with the waves, Eduardo is excited and eager to help you reach any, and all, of your goals for the water.
Danielle DiLallo
Head Swim Instructor
With over 10 years of experience in aquatics, Danielle brings a wide range of skills to the team. Having experience as an Aquatic Supervisor, Instructor Trainer and Program Director, Danielle loves to help her instructors excel, see the swimmers succeed and hear all feedback. With her bubbly personality, children, parents, and staff find it easy to approach and connect with her. Please reach out with any questions and concerns. She is always happy to help.
Joel Brian Dodge
Senior Swim Instructor
Joel is completing his second year at Carlton University in Psychology. He has been a part of the Aqua Life family for two years now. He has over 5 years of experience in teaching kids and adults how to swim, coupled with 5 years of competitive swimming under his belt! His mature and analytical approach towards his swimmers, help him deliver highly focused and tailored swim classes to his students. His gentle and caring nature make him a real superstar amongst our students. Joel is also an avid animal lover, especially cats!
Laura Robb
Senior Swim Instructor
Laura is attending Ottawa University studying Health Sciences, and is working towards a career in Occupational Therapy. She has been a member of the Aqua Life family for over 3 years. She has a synchronized swimming background, and competed for over 5 years. For as long as she can remember, Laura has always loved to be in, on, or around the water. In her classes, Laura brings her calm and nurturing nature, while focusing on her swimmers’ progress, safety and comfort. Her welcoming demeanour and patience make her an outstanding instructor for all our beginner and advanced swimmers alike. Laura’s approach is methodic and mature in her teaching, and once they’ve met her, her students never want to leave her classes!
Haley Webb
Swim Instructor
Haley is attending Algonquin college, and studying for a Bachelor of Public Safety and Health. She is now in her second year of the four year program and loving it. She has been a lifeguard and a swimming instructor for the majority of her adult life which is about 5 years so far and she absolutely loves it! Her classes are a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Haley is a very patient and understanding person and is very flexible with her teaching - welcoming for everyone with all different type of learning styles. She has 3 years of experience being a head lifeguard at the Ruddy YMCA where she accumulated lots of experience with private swim lessons with special needs as well as adults. She's also had an extreme amount of experience with children from the ages 3-5 years old. Haley has swam her whole life and in her teens she was on her high school team as well as swam with the Ottawa swim club for a few years. Swimming is her passion!!! Haley loves her new job with The Aqua Life and she hopes to see you all in the pool soon.
Andrew Li
Swim Instructor
Andrew is a high school student at Earl of March S.S. He has started swimming at 4 years old. He swam competitively for 4 years. After finishing his diploma, he hopes to pursue a career in Medicine or Software engineer. Andrew loves being in and around the water. Andrew is passionate about staying active and healthy. He also loves to listen to and play music. He brings a fun attitude, as well as being able to calmly find ways to improve his students' skills. Andrew is excited to learn and have fun while teaching in the pool.
Mary Mohamadi
Swim Instructor
Mary is currently studying for a master of applied science in chemical engineering at Queen’s University. She is crazy about the water and she has been swimming since she was 4 years old. Mary started to swim competitively when she was 8, and won many medals in national swimming competitions in Iran. Also, during her undergraduate studies she was a member of University of Tehran’s swim team, and Sep and her were teammates back then! Her competitive swimming background helps her uncover weaknesses in swimmers and improve their techniques more effectively to become better swimmers. She is full of energy and love when working with kids. In her spare time, Mary enjoys playing tennis, kayaking, swimming in lakes or any other water place!
Valentina G Melendez
Swim Instructor
Valentina is 17 years old and attends Immaculata High School. She is passionate about staying active through sports, the gym and martial arts. She loves music, the arts and nature. After graduating, Valentina hopes to pursue a career in psychology and maybe one day branch into forensics. This has been a year packed with new experiences for her and she is so excited to begin a new one with The Aqua Life team! Valentina started swimming at 3yo, discovered her love for swimming at an early age, received her bronze medallion at 13 and she has been teaching swimming for the past 2 years.
John Geyer
Swim Instructor
John is completing his second year attending Carleton University for Industrial Design. Originally from Vancouver, he has been swimming since he was 4 years old. He has been a part of competitive swimming and Waterpolo for the past 12 years and has experience coaching swim team and Waterpolo. Swimming has been a large part of his life and he seeks to help everyone find the same love for the water as him. In his spare time, he enjoys kayaking, hiking, drawing and playing guitar.
Gemma Harkness
Swim Instructor
I am in my first year at Ottawa University in the Health Science program. I have been swimming since I was little, and I love it so much. I did one year of competitive swimming when I was younger and after I stopped doing that, I decided to continue swimming, and my lifeguard training. I worked my way through each level, eventually receiving my NLS certification. After that, I followed additional training to become a swim instructor. Soon after I completed my aquatic training, I became a swim instructor and lifeguard at a local pool in my hometown. I worked there for about a year and a half, and loved every class. I love working with kids, and it brings me so much joy to see their improvements in swimming. Through that experience I have gotten to understand children more, and learned how to cater to each swimmer specifically. I am so excited to be working with The Aqua Life!
Daniella Dominguez-Rodriguez
Swim Instructor
I’m Daniella! My swimming journey started way back before I can remember when my parents signed me up for tots lessons. Since then I’ve kept up with swimming lessons and have grown to absolutely love the water. In my recent years I have been lifeguarding and swim instructor, teaching lessons for people of all ages. I love seeing people grow their confidence in the water, and be a part of their aquatic journey, which is pretty awesome! I am currently Majoring in Psychology at Tyndale University and I'm loving it. My hobbies range from arts and crafts, journaling and reading. I love to laugh, and meeting new people is always a highlight of any day. I have a big heart for children, and seeing them excel in any area of life they choose is wonderful! Well that’s all you’ll know about me for now! I hope to see you in the water! 🙂
Mojdeh Sohrabi
Swim Instructor
Hi! My name is Moj, and I'm very excited to be your Swim Instructor! 😁I pursued a bachelor degree in French Literature at the University of Tehran, and I also played piano and sang for the Tehran Conservatory. I am also a mom of two amazing boys, and becoming a mom has been the best thing ever.The love for swimming came very early on in my life as I learned how to swim during my childhood years. For me, swimming was a source of fun and happiness, and it brought me so much joy as a child.Teaching French at a language school made me discover my passion for teaching and working with kids. I started to teach piano and swimming lessons as a private swim instructor. The time I spent as a swim instructor meant a lot to me, and I enjoyed it more than anything. I knew at that time that I had found my passion and my dream, and nothing could have stopped me. I love children and I love the water! Teaching swimming makes me happy and fulfilled, and I want to share this feeling and the joy that comes with it with every child, teen or adult wanting to learn how to swim. I'm here to share my passion, and teach everyone to love the water while staying safe.
Elise York
Swim Instructor
Hi, I’m Elise! I’m a 17 year old student in grade 12 at Colonel By Secondary School and I will begin studying Health Sciences this fall at university. I loved the water from an early age, began swimming at age three, and swam competitively for three years. My passion is in bringing the joy of swimming to people of all ages by encouraging safety and fun while improving technique and endurance. In my free time, I enjoy singing, running, and spending time with my family at our cottage in the summer. I hope to see you in the water! 🙂
Becca Gillis
Swim Instructor
Hi! I'm Becca! I recently moved to Kingston to start my undergrad in sociology at Queen's University. Prior to my time in Kingston, I spent 10 years competing as a synchronized swimmer, and 2 years coaching in the sport. On top of that, I have been teaching swimming lessons to people of all ages and abilities as well as lifeguarding white water canoeing and camping. See you all in the pool!! 🙂
Greg Hall
Swim Instructor
Greg was born in Scotland in a cottage near the river Nith. Not long after, the family moved to Freeport in the Bahamas. He was a true water-baby; with his father's guidance, he was swimming by the age of 6 months.In his later childhood moving to various countries around the globe, he was always close to the sea or a pool. To say swimming was a passion, is an understatement. He was a member of the swim team at École Royale Militaire de Sorèze, France. Not long after the family immigrated to Canada and eventually, Greg joined the Canadian Armed forces.After his service abroad, he returned to Canada and got a degree in Graphic Design and worked in advertising for a number of years. He still enjoys artistry as a painter and illustrator. Once again the water came calling and in 2016 he started his Life Saving Society training. He quickly got a job at the downtown Hamilton YMCA as a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor. He has also worked for the city of Hamilton as an Aquatics Instructor/Guard.Greg is looking forward to his new chapter at The Aqua Life Swim Academy to assist in training a new generation of swim enthusiasts and to promote the healthy benefits of swimming. His ideal goal is to build confidence in youth and young at heart alike to achieve a love of being in the water for pleasure, much as he enjoyed throughout his lifetime.
Kristin Lang
Swim Instructor
Kristin began swimming competitively at the age of 7, and has had a passion for aquatics ever since. She attended several national championships between the ages of 12-18, and there won medals in the 1500m freestyle and 100m breaststroke events. Since then, she has pursued coaching and lifeguarding for the past two years while she works toward a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology at Queen's University. She is also an intern with the Strength & Conditioning department at Queen's, helping to coach the football and rugby teams, and is involved with Revved Up Kingston, which is a community-based exercise program for individuals living with disabilities. Her well-rounded coaching experience and outgoing personality helps her connect with swimmers of all ability levels and backgrounds! Outside of work, Kirstin is a member of the Queen's fencing team, and loves chai lattes and going for walks. She looks forward to seeing you on deck!
Erika Brown
Swim Instructor
Erika is a second-year Kinesiology student studying at Queens University. She has 3 years of experience in lifeguarding and teaching lessons at every level. Erika is very patient and kind and brings a fun yet challenging element to each of her classes! She is very passionate about staying active and healthy. She started swimming when she was 4 and was a part of her high school swim team for 3 years. Erika loves meeting and connecting with new people and is super excited to see everyone in the pool!
Emma Todd
Swim Instructor
Hi! I'm Emma and I have a passion for swimming. I have been swimming since I was two years old and have loved it ever since. Although there were some challenges, through hard work and determination I have gained swimming experience and knowledge to pass on to others. I love helping people learn how to swim, and being a part of such an important and positive experience. I am also here to teach everyone how to swim safely and have a great time. Can't wait to see you in the pool!
Bridget Rielly
Swim Instructor
I'm Bridget Rielly, and I am in the third year of my BA in English and History at Carleton University. I have always enjoyed literature with special interests in nineteenth-century modernism and Shakespearean drama. I hope to eventually pursue a Master’s degree in Education to teach secondary school. I began teaching in high school when I started working as a lifeguard and swim instructor in my hometown. I began swimming at the age of 4 in my grandparent’s pool and took SwimKids lessons at my local pool facility. I would retake several lessons consecutively to complete difficult skills like the front dive and breaststroke due to an ongoing love for the sport and desire to become a lifeguard. I taught for two years both Swimkids classes and private lessons with individuals with special needs and of all ages. I prioritize safety and structure within my classes while providing a welcoming and enthusiastic approach to learning skills. I think that students learn best with constant moral support and by catering to specific swimmer needs. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and walking my dog in the park. I am very excited to begin teaching at Aqualife Swim Academy and I look forward to seeing you in the pool!
The Aqua Life sets out to create everything I thought a classroom should be through a learning experience that nurtures trust, breakthroughs, and joy.